ACTION PUNJAB NEWS Desk: The anticipation surrounding the consecration or “pran pratishtha” of the Ram Lalla idol, set to be enshrined in the sanctum sanctorum of the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya on January 22, took a viral turn on social media with the release of images of the deity. While generating enthusiasm among the public, the revelation of the idol’s uncovered face raised questions and concerns, particularly as it contradicts Hindu religious norms.
Acharya Satyendra Das, the chief priest of Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra, expressed his dismay over the exposed face of the idol and has called for an investigation into the matter. Two images were circulating on social media, with one depicting a black stone idol with veiled eyes, and the other featuring the idol’s face in its entirety.
Das emphasized, “The eyes of Lord Ram’s idol cannot be revealed before Pran Pratishtha is completed. The idol where the eyes of Lord Ram can be seen is not the real idol. If the eyes can be seen, an investigation should be done on who revealed the eyes and how the pictures of the idol are going viral.” The act of unveiling the face during Pran Pratishtha is a sacred ritual, often accompanied by heightened devotion and emotional intensity, making the controversy surrounding the premature exposure of the idol’s face a matter of significance and concern within the Hindu community.
What Is Pran Pratishtha?
Pran Pratishtha, a sacred term in Hindu religious practices, encapsulates the intricate ritual of consecrating deities and idols before they are embraced in worship. Derived from Sanskrit, “pran” signifies “life” or “life force,” while “pratishtha” translates to “to establish” or “to install.” In essence, Pran Pratishtha is the ceremonial process of infusing life into the idol or image of a deity.
This ritual holds particular significance during the establishment of a new temple or shrine, or when introducing a new idol to any place of worship. Skilled priests undertake a series of elaborate rituals, aiming to invoke the deity’s divine presence into the lifeless idol. The transformative moment occurs through the chanting of mantras, accompanied by offerings such as flowers, incense, and food, coupled with the meticulous performance of specific Vedic rituals.
The idol, considered a mere physical object, undergoes a profound metamorphosis during the pran pratishtha ritual. It is firmly believed that, through these sacred ceremonies, the deity breathes life into the otherwise inert idol, turning it into a living embodiment of divine presence. This transformative process establishes a profound connection between the worshippers and the deity, fostering a sense of spiritual communion within the sanctified space.
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Unveiling the spiritual significance: Why idol faces are covered before Pran Pratishtha in Hinduism
In Hindu religious practices, the tradition of covering the faces of idols before the pran pratishtha ritual holds deep spiritual and symbolic significance. This practice is rooted in specific religious beliefs that contribute to maintaining the sanctity of the idol until it is ritually infused with divine energy.
Key Reasons:
Preserving Sanctity: Before pran pratishtha, the idol is regarded as a mere physical representation and not yet the embodiment of the deity. Covering the face is seen as a way to preserve the sanctity and purity of the idol until it undergoes the transformative ritual.
Symbolic Waiting: The act of covering the face serves as a symbolic gesture, signifying the anticipation of invoking the divine presence in the idol. It represents a period of waiting for the spiritual infusion that will transform the inert object into a living embodiment of the deity.
Transition in Hindu Philosophy: Hindu philosophy emphasizes the transition from the unmanifest aspect of the divine to the manifest form. The covered face symbolizes the unmanifest state, while the pran pratishtha ritual, during which the face is unveiled, signifies the transition to the manifest form of the deity.
Examples in Festivals:
Durga Puja: During Durga Puja, the unveiling of the Devi idol’s face occurs on Mahashasthi, the sixth day of Devipaksha. This moment is marked by the ‘Bodhon’ ritual, a ceremonial puja that symbolises the transition from the unmanifest to the manifest state of the goddess.
Impact on Devotees:
The practice of covering the idol’s face instills anticipation among devotees, fostering a sense of eagerness and respect for the upcoming revelation of the divine presence. This ritual is often accompanied by a surge of devotion and emotional intensity among worshippers, exemplified by the recent fervor surrounding the consecration of Ram Lalla in Ayodhya.
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(Inputs from agencies)
